April 7, 2021 (Wednesday)
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared eleven times. The appearance discussed in this blog is The appearance of Jesus to the other women who had gone to the tomb with Mary Magdalene, with the purpose of anointing the body of Jesus in the tomb.
Mary Magdalene and several other women went to the tomb on Sunday morning with the purpose in mind of anointing the dead body of Jesus. He had been buried hastily, to avoid work on the Sabbath. Somehow Mary Magdalene got to the tomb first, and Jesus met her there. That experience was described in yesterday’s blog. Today Jesus meets the other women.
Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Peace be with you.” They came up to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to them. “Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:9-10)
“God’s gracious visits usually meet us in the way of duty; and to those who use what they have for others’ benefit, more shall be given. This interview with Christ was unexpected; but Christ was near them, and still is near us in the word. The salutation speaks the good-will of Christ to man, even since he entered upon his state of exaltation. It is the will of Christ that his people should be a cheerful, joyful people, and his resurrection furnishes abundant matter for joy. Be not afraid. Christ rose from the dead, to silence his people’s fears, and there is enough in that to silence them. The disciples had just before shamefully deserted him in his sufferings; but, to show that he could forgive, and to teach us to do so, he calls them brothers. Notwithstanding his majesty and purity, and our meanness and unworthiness, he still condescends to call believers his brothers.” (Matthew Henry).
CLOSE TO THEE
Words, Fanny Crosby
Music, Silas J. Vail
1873
Thou my everlasting portion,
More than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee;
All along my pilgrim journey,
Savior, let me walk with Thee.
Not for ease or worldly pleasure,
Nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Gladly will I toil and suffer,
Only let me walk with Thee.
Lead me through the vale of shadows,
Bear me o’er life’s fitful sea;
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Close to Thee, close to Thee,
Then the gate of life eternal
May I enter, Lord, with Thee.
1. The appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene and the message to the disciples Mar 16:9-11 John 20:11-18.
2. The appearance of Jesus to the other women Mat 28:9-10. (Some of the guard report to the Jewish rulers Matt 28:11-15.)
3. The appearance to two disciples (Cleophas and another) on the way to Emmaus Mark 16:12-13 Luke 24:13-32.
4. The report of the two disciples and their news of the appearance to Simon Peter Luke 24:33-35 1Cor 15:5
5. The appearance to the astonished disciples (Thomas absent) with a commission and their failure to convince Thomas Mark 16:14 Luke 24:36-43 John 20:19-25.
6. The appearance to the disciples the next Sunday night and the convincing of Thomas John 20:26-31 1Cor 15:5.
7. The appearance to the seven disciples beside the Sea of Galilee; The miraculous draught of fishes John 21:1-25.
8. The appearance to about five hundred on an appointed mountain in Galilee, and a commission given Mat 28:16-20 Mark 16:15-18 1Cor 15:6.
9. The appearance to James the brother of Jesus 1Cor 15:7.
10. The appearance to the disciples with another commission Luke 24:44-49 Acts 1:3-8.
11. The last appearance and ascension Mar 16:19-20 Luke 24:50-53 Acts 1:9-12